Nalzaro: Congress to investigate reclamation projects

Nalzaro: Congress to investigate reclamation projects

The ambition of Consolacion Mayor

Joannes “Joyjoy” Alegado to develop a multi-billion reclamation project in his town will definitely suffer another snag after Malacañang and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) ordered a thorough review of the proponent’s application. There is a possibility that this project and the other reclamation projects in the country will be scuttled because of the intervention of Congress.

A PRA official disclosed that Malacañang has forwarded to them the sentiments of the various sectors in Consolacion town who have expressed opposition to the proposed reclamation project in Barangay Tayud, the present site of the decades-old shipyard, which serviced the shipping industry in the Visayas and Mindanao.

This development was confirmed by lawyer Joseph John Literal, assistant general manager for PRA’s Reclamation and Regulation Office, during a virtual multi-sectoral forum on the reclamation project organized by non-governmental groups, Oceana and Philippine Earth Justice Center.

“In compliance with due process, when we receive these documents, we also furnish that to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) because they are, under the bureaucracy, they are the experts in environmental laws and then the local government unit (LGU) and the affected party. We will also listen to their complaints,” Literal told online forum participants.

This would mean that the Consolacion reclamation project to be undertaken by La Consolacion Seafront Development Corporation (LCSDC) will be back to square one. The PRA, through the DENR, will conduct a series of hearings and consultations on this matter. I have been saying that there had been no thorough consultations among the affected sectors on this project because Alegado, for reasons known only to him, wants this multi-billion project quickly done.

There was what they called “public scoping” (public hearing) but it was one-sided. Those who oppose the project were not given enough time to voice out their concerns. Alegado has been saying that the legal and normal processes on their application have been followed. Followed? But look at it now.

Alegado just practically ignored the concerns raised by the affected sectors especially the shipyard operators who have been doing business in the area for several decades now. The shipyard operation has been helping the town in revenue generation and job opportunities. But because of Alegado’s ambition, they have been dumped like a rag. Unsa may gidalian aning Alegado nga dili man maminaw sa mga sentimento og yango-ngo sa mga apektadong sektor?

Another development that may cause delay or may result in the cancellation of this project is the intervention of Congress. Opposition and detained Senator Leila de Lima urged Congress to investigate the reported large-scale land reclamation projects nationwide that threaten coastal and marine ecosystems around the country. De Lima filed proposed Senate Resolution No. 956 urging Congress to immediately look into the processes undertaken by LGUs in approving such reclamation projects and determine the compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations.

“The widespread approval of reclamation projects is altogether alarming for our and future generations of Filipinos and the government should consider imposing a moratorium on the continuing approval of such projects both large and small. There is a growing body of evidence of the harmful effects and negative impacts that reclamation projects can have on not only the environment but also the affected communities and surrounding ecosystem. Yet the government is insistent on its widespread implementation under the promise of economic development. Congress, in exercise of its oversight powers, must immediately conduct an investigation on the processes undertaken by LGUs in approving these reclamation projects,” part of De Lima’s resolution said.

Specifically mentioned in her proposed resolution are: the 174-hectare reclamation project in Dumaguete City; the 230-hectare project in Consolacion; the 100-hectare project in Minglanilla, Cebu; the 126-hectare project in Mandaue City and various other reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

In its position paper, Oceana, a non-profit ocean conservation organization, said reclamation projects “hide behind” the promise of economic progress and infrastructure development at the expense of the environment, as well as the socio-economic welfare and livelihoods of many of the marginalized Filipinos.

Let us see if this Congressional investigation will hold water. Abangan.

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